Following Tuesday's tough 2-0 loss to Bedford, JV1 Coach Willie Johnson made a few tweaks, and the Marauders responded with a quality 3-1 win over Merrimack on Friday at the GPS fields in Bedford. Hanover began the game with a stretch of sustained possession, and nearly got on the board in the 11th minute when a Jack Ross free kick connected with Murphy Hunt, whose volley was wide.
The Marauders took a 1-0 lead after 27 minutes when Oscar dribbled into a good shooting position and beat the keeper with a shot at the near post. Eight minutes later Hanover doubled the lead when Zane Schiffman's cross from the right flank found Pierce Hamlin at the six yard box for a clinical finish.
Schiffman's switch to right wing was one of several successful switches. Mitch Aspinwall played well at center midfield, and received plaudits from the opposing coach. Derek Lacy was dangerous on the left wing. Teddy Ruth was a force in the middle of the park with good tackling, and his cameo on right wing set up an excellent goal. Mathias Einarsson settled in well at left back, stepping well to contain the ball in the attacking zone. Thomas Glass made several excellent recovery runs, and closed the first half with some good tackles.
Hanover started the second half well, and had had several great scoring bids denied by the Merrimack goalkeeper. In the 55th minute, Zane Schiffman cut into the middle of the field and struck a dangerous left-footed shot that forced a miracle save. Ten minutes later, Oscar had a great strike from the 18 that was denied by another excellent save. Five minutes later, Murphy Hunt was cleaned out at the 18, but play continued.
With five minutes to play, a couple of bad bounces allowed Merrimack to pull a goal back, nut Hanover responded in the right way, oppressing forward instead of circling the wagons. Teddy Ruth's pass from the right wing found Owen Stannard at the top of the box. Owen stole a defender's soul with a pullback move and drilled a left-footer into the top right corner.
There will be one casualty as a result of the Hanover victory: Oscar has pledged to shave his moustache. The less-hirsute Marauders will host Keene on Tuesday on the HHS grass.
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